Cable cutter



v Jan. 14, 1930. w. n. STA'RRETT Filed Dec. 8. 1926 INVENTORI 14/. 17. 5774221577:

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 14, 1930 PATENT OFFICE WENDELIN' D. STARRETT, ALAMEDA, CALIFORNIA CABLE CUTTER Application filed December 8, 1926.. Serial No. 153,271.

The present invention relates to improvements in cable cutters and its particular object is to provide a means for cutting a cable whereby a smooth cut may be secured. It is particularly proposed in this connection to provide means for encircling and-supporting the cable and a blade moving transversely to the cable in the encircling means so as to cut the latter when struck by a hammer or the like. It is further proposed to provide certain improvements in the blade which cause cutting action at the sides of the blade rather than at the point so that a'short piece of the cable is actually cut out of the same and removed therefrom. It is further proposed to provide a wrapper for the cable within the encircling means whereby spreading of the strands is prevented. In this connection it may be stated that the particular features of the wrapping means are described and claimed in a co-pending application and that it is desired in the present application to secure protection on the combination of the wrapper with the cutting device only.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of my cable cutter, in which certain parts are shown detached in a position ready for assembly;

Figure 2, a perspective view of an encircling element and Figure 3, a view illustrating the cutting action.

While I have shown only the preferred form of the invention, it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

My cable cutter 1, consists of a housing 2, preferably rectangular in form and open at the ends so that a rectangular'passage 3 extends through the same from end to end, which latter is adapted to receive the two encircling elements or cable supporting means 4 which may be introduced from either end. Each of the encircling elements, of which one is shown in perspective view in Figure 2 consists. of a rectangular block 6 formed with a semicircular recess 7 in one side thereof, and with a vertical groove 8 arranged transversely to the recess. The two encircling elements are dimensioned to completely encircle the cable which latter prior to the application of the encircling elements is provided with a wrapper 9 made of thin bendable sheet metal.

The housing 2 is formed with a lateral opening 11 through which the cable may be introduced and has a tubular guide 12 extending from the upper face thereof which may be suitably braced as shown at 13 and is formed with vertical grooves 14 adapted to be brought into registry with the grooves 8 in the encircling blocks.

The blade tapered at the lower as shown at 17 so as to V-shaped cutting edge. The blade is of substantial thickness and fits rather closely in the grooves 14 and 8 respectively. A pin 18 may be introduced-into the tubular member 12 so as to rest on the blade 16 and to drive the same through the cable when struck by a sledge hammer.

The manner of operating the device is as follows The two encircling members are applied to the cable after the latter has been provided with the wrapper, in such a manner that the grooves 8 register with the place where the cable is to be cut. The housing 2 is then slid over the cable at a different place, the cable 8 enteringthrough the opening 11 whereupon the housing is moved endwise to slip over the encircling blocks until the grooves 14 register with the grooves 8. The blade 16 and the pin 18 are then introduced, and the housing is placed upon a firm foundation whereupon the pin is struck a heavy blow with a sledge hammer for cutting the cable. The actual cutting action is illustrated in Figure 3 from which it appears that the point of the blade bends the strands of the cable lying in its path, while the principal cutting action takes place at the sides of the blades. While in the upper section of the cable the strands yield to the point of the blade and break, the large 16 comprises a flat plate of metal edge toward the center form a substantially majority of strands are actually shorn at the i point where the sides of the blade strike the edge of the encircling blocks so that as a whole, a piece of the thickness of the blade is actually cut out of the cable, small pieces 19 of theangular form shown in Figure 3 dropping through the groove 8.

It is to be noted that due to the presence of wrapper 9 when the cable is cut, the spreading of strands is prevented, thus aiding in obtaining a clean cut.

I claim 1. A cable cutter comprising an open-ended housin formed with an opening in the side thereot allowing a cable to be introduced thereinto, cable encircling members adapted for en-dwise introduction into the housing, and a blade movable in the housing and encircling means to cut the cable.

2. A cable cutter as defined in claim 1 'in which the encircling means comprise two symmetrical rectangular blocks formed with registering semi-circular recesses in which the cable is accommodated.

3. A cable cutter as defined in claim 1 in which the housing is substantially rectangular in form and has a circular blade guide extending upwardly therefrom.

4. A cable cutter as defined in claim 1 in which the blade has a substantially V shaped cutting edge.

5. A cable cutter as defined in claim 1 in which the blade is a plate of substantial thickness and which rides in a closely fitting groove so as to cut the cable along the sides of the blade.

6. A cable cutter as defined'in claim 1 in which the blade is a plate of substantial thickness having a substantially V shaped cutting edge and which rides in a closely fitting groove so as to bend the cable at the center I and to cut the same at the side edges.

7. .A cable cutter comprising a housing, hav ng a passage therein, means positioned,

by engagement with the passage for supporting a cable in cutting position in the housing, and a blade movable in the housing and supporting means to cut the cable.

8. A cable cutter comprising a housing having a passage therein, means positioned by engagement with the passage for supporting a cable in cutting position in the housing,

. and a blade movable in the housing and supporting means to cut the cable, said housing and supporting means having grooves for seating the blade.

9. A cable cutter comprising a housing having a passage therein and an opening in a side thereof for permitting the introduction of a cable, means ositioned by engagement with the passage or supporting a cable in cutting position in the housing, and ablade means for supporting a cable in cutting position in the housing, and a blade movable in the housing and supporting means to cut the cable, said blade having a substantially -V shaped cutting edge.

11. A cable cutter comprising a housing having a passage therein and an opening in a side thereof for permitting the introduction of a cable, means encircling the cable for supporting the cable in cutting position, and a blade movable in the housing and encircling means to cut the cable.

12. A cable cutter comprising a housing having a passage therein and an opening in a side thereof for permitting the introduction of a cable, means encircling the cable for supporting the cable in cutting position, and a blade movable in the housing and encircling means to cut the cable, said housing and encircling means having grooves for seating the blade.

13. A cable cutter comprising a housing having an opening in the side thereof for permitting the introduction of a cable, a blade movably mounted in the housing to cut the cable, and a pair of counter dies between which the blade operates for supporting the cable in cutting position under the blade.

14. A cable cutter comprising a housing having opening in the side thereof for permitting the introduction of a cable, a'blade movably mounted in the housing to cut the cable, and a pair of counter dies between which the blade operates for supporting the cable in cutting position under the blade, said housing having ways therein in which said' movable in the housing and supporting means to cut the cable.

10. A cable cutter comprising ahousing, 

